In a news release, the Woodruff Arts Center in Midtown Wednesday announced its annual campaign raised nearly $9.3 million in fiscal 2013, which ended May 31. It is the most money ever raised to support the arts and arts education at the center in a single annual campaign, and included donations from corporations, foundations and individuals.

The campaign, led by Paul Bowers, president and CEO of Georgia Power Co., surpassed the goal of $9.2 million. It benefited from broad-based support, with virtually every category of gifts – lead gifts, foundations, local business and individual donations – surpassing their goals as well.

The $9.3 million is only a portion of the funds donated this year to the center and its divisions – the Alliance Theater, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the High Museum of Art and Young Audiences, the education arm of the Woodruff. More than $35 million was donated in total to the center and the divisions to support their efforts to bring top art and arts education to Atlanta and the Southeast.

“The success of this year’s campaign is a direct result of the leadership of Paul Bowers, his team of 140 volunteers and our Trustees,” said Virginia Hepner, the center’s president and CEO. “Their commitment and hard work was inspirational and all of us with the Woodruff and all of us who love the arts are grateful for their support. I particularly want to thank Tommy Hills for his superb leadership as campaign director.”

Bowers added, “The support the Woodruff receives year-in and year-out from a huge cross-section of the community is a direct reflection of the importance of the arts to Atlanta, to economic development and to education. I want to extend my thanks to the great team of volunteers who gave so much of their time to support the campaign and to all the donors who support the arts and education. It was particularly gratifying to see the growing support of individual donors to the arts in this year’s campaign.”

In all, corporations, foundations or individuals made nearly 2,000 gifts to the campaign. This included 175 gifts designated at the Patron Circle of Stars level, reflecting donations of $15,000 or more. More than 30 of the gifts at this level were new to the campaign this year.

Hepner also announced the center’s 2013–2014 campaign will be chaired by William H. Rogers Jr., chairman and CEO of SunTrust Banks Inc. He will work with Janine Musholt, the Woodruff’s newly appointed vice president of advancement.

“We are again fortunate to have one of Atlanta’s corporate leaders agree to commit their time and energy to support the Woodruff and the arts,” Hepner said. “We look forward to working with Bill to make our next campaign as successful as ever.”

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